Tag Archives: mix on tap

Mix on Tap: Crazy Beautiful

2 Oct

While waiting for the bus early last Saturday morning, I spotted a man who looked like he might have been lost, but judging by his outfit, that word had more than one meaning. Clad in jean booty shorts, black sneakers, a tank top, a baseball cap covered in a crown of plastic leaves, and a fuzzy white halo. He also happened to have two braids attached to the cap and donned an American flag purse complete with a crimped hair black Barbie doll and beaded necklaces. He was sweating profusely and gyrating as if dancing to silent music piped through his creative hat, though once he boarded the train, he replaced his perspiration with words used to address himself, which later turned into a song he sang to no one, really, despite making eye contact with all of us. Despite the man’s apparent disorientation with reality, I was impressed and deeply fascinated by him and his ability to be completely oblivious–whether or not it was the result of drugs or pure insanity.

It all made me think a bit about the choices we make to induce altered states of being, either through music or alcohol, both, or of course, other vices (yes, I consider my obsession with music a vice at this point as it literally keeps me from functioning at times), and how the end result can sometimes be ugly, but other times quite beautiful. Whether it means letting go of your inhibitions or finding a new level of a song, these vices and the choices made when under their influence can sometimes be a very good thing. I invite you to come along and make your attempt:

The Drink

Born to Be Wild

ingredients: 1 part vodka, 1 part tequila, 1 part Pisang Ambon, Sprite, ice, teaspoon of lime juice

1. fill a glass 3/4 full of ice cubes

2. mix the alcohol and lime juice in a shaker

3. pour over the ice

4. fill to the top with Sprite

5. enjoy

 

The Music

This mix from early August is a collaborative project between Smalltown DJs and Wax Romeo called “Smalltown Romeo.” It’s the perfect mix for this post because it is quite crazy, yet quite beautiful. In it, the DJs seem to combined almost every single one of my favorite songs into one set, yet inviting each track to come in at the most unlikely time.

Smalltown Romeo – Shambhala 2010 Mix

(click to play; right click + save as to download)

tracklist after the jump

(more…)

Mix On Tap: Shaken Not Stirred

26 Jun

This entire week, I’ve had one mix on repeat for every single night-time outing. It’s full of bass, Portuguese, foul language, and a ton of solid beats. The genre? Funk Carioca, of course.

It’s the staple sound that I always go back to when I need energy to go out after a long day’s work or a weekend’s worth of dancing. Daniel Haaksman’s “Funk Legal” mix is the perfect combo for folks from baile funk beginners to those who have been listening to it for years as it includes some old favorites and well known names in the scene like Deize Tigrona, among many others.

The standout tracks for me is Deize Tigrona’s “Dança  Neguinha,” which is about a woman who needs to take a little more control (“Pega no chicote!” Deize taunts, which means “Grab the whip” in Portuguese) and have fun on the dancefloor, an oddly amusing funk remix of the Austin Powers theme song, and “O Som do James Brown,” a baile funk take on the master himself. Go figure.

Anyway, I’ll let the mix speak for itself. While you’re listening, shake up a little mix of your own by taking it back old school with a classic martini.

The Music:

Daniel Haaksman – Funk Legal

Daniel Haaksman – FUNK LEGAL by Daniel Haaksman / Man Rec

The Drink:

Classic Martini

1 part Gin or Vodka
1 part Dry Vermouth
1 cup Ice

shake. strain. pour. party

- Retail DJ

Mix On Tap: Lovers

12 Jun

Today is O Dia dos Namorados in Brazil. Known as the “Brazilian Valentine’s Day,” it’s a special day for folks in love, heavy like, or who just feel like buying red and pink things filled with chocolate for well, anyone. It certainly has a far more romantic premise than the American version (on which you are more than welcome to give you teacher, mom, little sister, and best friend a Valentine’s Day goodie), though much like the American version, it’s a huge commercial success and yet another manufactured holiday to boost the economy and line the pockets of many a company.

Even Melissa came out with a promotion related to Dia dos Namorados involving an all-red version of “Royale,” one of the shoes from their newest line “Melissa et Circenses“:

Anyway, in order to honor this Brazilian tradition and give my American readers something to keep them cool this summer, I give you a great Frozen Strawberry Marguerita recipe as well as a mix that is romantic enough at time to enjoy with your boo, but that has the necessary dance-cred to entertain even the least romantic. . .

The Drink

Frozen Strawberry Marguerita (c/o Guy Fieri)

ingredients: 2 cups crushed ice, 1/2 cup strawberry puree (frozen can or fresh strawberries, pureed), 1 cup tequila, 2 limes, juiced, splash of Triple Sec, splash of simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water heated until sugar dissolves, then cooled)

Combine in a blender, ice, strawberry water, tequila, lime juice, Triple Sec and simple syrup. Puree until smooth. Pour into rocks glasses and serve.

The Music

Evil Nine – For Lovers Mixtape

:: FOR LOVERS :: MIXTAPE NO.1 by Evil Nine

(click to play / click the small arrow on the right to download)

tracklist after the jump

(more…)

Mix On Tap: Bridge & Tunnel

4 Jun

In the previous post, I mentioned on the cultural capital that Brooklyn has these days, lamenting of course the not-so-positive stereotypes put out there about Brooklyn by the media (beyond NYC) and sometimes even within Manhattan circles (filled, in this instance, with snobby fuddy duddies who hardly go below 14th street) is that the folks beyond the bridges are a little lacking in the class department. The same stereotype is held (and constantly perpetuated) about people from New Jersey. Both stereotypes are dumb and poor characterizations of the current populations of both regions. Nevertheless, the outerburroughs and Jersey DO give us some fun moments, and one of them just so happens to remind me of alcohol. . .

I’m sure most of you have seen this video by now, as it’s pretty old by internet standards, Nevertheless, who can get enough of the immature, douchebaggie stereotype displayed therein?

My New Haircut (NSFW)

 If you want to avoid acting like him, you might want to make and enjoy this drink in the comfort of your own home. But while you make it, don’t forget to dance to this mix (named after the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway no less :-)

the drink:

Jager Bomb

So simple you can make it while wasted, the Jager Bomb just takes 1 part RedBull, another part Jagermeister liquer, and you’re all set. Just be sure to avoid walking down stairs (and maybe anything that involves talking). Make it 1 part Jagermeister, 2 parts RedBull is you plan on doing either of the aforementioned.

the music:

Jubilee – BQE

(click to play / right click + save target as to download)

tracklist after the jump

(more…)

Mix On Tap: CaipiRio . . .

28 May

I love caipirinhas (kai-pee-reen-yahz) as much as the next person, but sometimes they are a little too strong for me. Cachaça, which is one of the staple alcohols in Brazil (think rum is to the Caribbean and tequila is to Mexico as cachaca is to Brazil), tastes a bit like tires or rubbing alcohol on its own. It’s so strong in fact that many mineiros (people who live in the state of Minas Gerais, where the bulk of the cachaça is produced) cut the flavor by chasing shots of it with a dry cheese or by adding honey.

So while living in Brazil, I became a bigger fan of Caipiroskas, which is a caipirinha with vodka replacing the cachaça. Here’s a video by Grey Goose showing you how to make a flavored caipiroska using their citron vodka:

But just to be clear, I don’t want to lose anyone with the title of this post. It’s actually a little homage to the hometown of one of the DJs who will be featured here very very soon. I’ve included a mix below from none other than Leo(nardo) Justi, whose work I have featured before, but from whom there is plenty more to check out. This mix is the perfect way to start your weekend, so drink up, press play, and have a happy Friday:

Leo Justi Mixtape #1

(click to play / click the small arrow on the right to download)

- Retail DJ

Mix On Tap: Exclusivity Killed the Cat

15 May

Brooklyn Is for Party People

DJ Ayres, whom I just dealt a nice hand of praise in an upcoming shows post said something very interesting in his bio blurb on his website. In reflecting on the club scene in NYC, he noted:

I started The Rubin 2002 at Southpaw with Mikey Palms because I was bored with all the bottle service clubs and lounges in Manhattan and I wanted to do a big, no-bullshit dance party in Brooklyn away from the weekend warriors.

I checked out his page a few minutes after coming home, prior to getting ready to go out to see the man himself yet after a long day or errand running, interviewing, and being generally run ragged (yet not so ragged that I can’t go out, of course). The comment was fitting as, on the way home, I noticed that even the bowling alley in Manhattan had a doorman, a bouncer, and a guestlist. There’s just.something.wrong.with.that. It’s odd how we can turn the simplest fun into petty bourgeoisie bullsh*t. I’m glad Ayres is trying to bring the fun back. In honor of those who work as hard as they party and couldn’t care less about a guestlist or a velvet rope, I give you this week’s Mix On Tap, starting with a strong drink and an even stronger set of tracks.

the music:

DJ Ayres – Flashing Lights Mix 5

(follow the link to download)

tracklist below after the jump

the drink:

Manhattan (w/ a twist of irony)

3/4 oz sweet vermouth
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 dash Angostura® bitters
1 maraschino cherry
1 twist orange peel

Combine the vermouth, bourbon whiskey, and bitters with 2 – 3 ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir gently, don’t bruise the spirits and cloud the drink. Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass and strain the whiskey mixture over the cherry. Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink to release the oils but don’t drop it in. (via drinkmixer.com)

(more…)

Mix On Tap: Funkalicious

7 May

Wow. That was my first thought in the first five minutes of the latest Adventures of Soul Clap, in which they feature new DJ on the scene, 23 year Parisian FunKaLicious James. With an amazing set of funk, house, jazz, soul, and more, FunKaLicious James will help you get your weekend started right. Enjoy this deliciously diverse podcast with an equally yummy drink care of Byblos Restaurant and Bar (which happens to have some pretty soulful music on their site!) in Philadelphia, PA. 

the music:

Adventures of Soul Clap Episode 71: FunKaLicious Gunna Funk You Up

(follow the link to play / download)

check out more mixes by FunKaLicious James on his blog here

the drink:

Absolut Relief

ingredients: 2 parts Absolut Mandarin, 1 part fresh-squeezed blood orange juice, 1 part cranberry juice, 1 part raspberry liqueur

add ice. shake. pour. instant relief

- Retail DJ

Mix On Tap: Wheels of Steel

1 May

Though most DJs use digital turntables these days, and the only wheels of steel might be those turning inside their MacBook Pro, there are plenty of DJs out there who work with music as if they are still dealing with vinyl. Each song serves a purpose, each minute has meaning. I like to call them the William Faulkners and Ernest Hemingways of the music world. For those of you not familiar with the aforementioned authors’ respective work and writing style, I’ll do my best to summarize.

Much like Jose Saramago and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Faulker utilized long, descriptive, mind-enveloping sentences, whereas Hemingway, a man truly always on the go, allowed his writing to mirror his lifestyle: quick, fleeting, yet meaningful. Apparently, both authors agonized over their sentences, taking considerable amounts of time to make them perfect.

Some DJs (thankfully) utilize the same practice, picking and choosing the tracks in their mixes with careful precision. One such DJ is the frequently-lauded and super prolific EZRAKH. We feature him on Retail DJ enough to make him our patron saint, I know, but his talent warrants the recognition. This time, he’s dropped a hot mix of Uk Garage, Dubstep, and some dark, yet soulful tracks. There’s even a nod to James Brown towards the end. Even if you are not into dubstep, this mix is worth checking out.

That said, this week, I give you a Mix On Tap that will touch the most industrial side of yourself, the steely interior that needs a little warming by way of dancing and drinking. The music, as mentioned is by Retail DJ favorite EZRAKH and the drink comes to us by way of drinkmixer.com. Have an awesome Saturday night, and party like tomorrow will never come.

the music:

EZRAKH – Easystep Mix v. 2

Easystep Mix v2 by ezrakh

the drink:

Icy Blue Steel

1/3 oz Smirnoff® vodka Blueberry
1/3 oz Hpnotiq® liqueur
1/3 oz McGuinness Green creme de menthe

Mix.Shake.Pour.Quake.

- Retail DJ

Mix On Tap: Slap and Dash

18 Apr

Ok, so first, my apologies on the delay here. Instead of being an appropriately timed Mix On Tap, it is going to seem like I am suggesting that you drink through your Sunday morning laundry session. Nevertheless, maybe it can serve as some sort of Sunday night motivation? Je ne sais pas, y’all. Either way, I hope you find these mixes – one music, one alcoholic – useful for whatever purpose you decide.

Today’s music mix, aptly titled “Mixin’ It Up” is a mix done by (also aptly named) Slap and Dash for Discobelle.net. It features a mashup of old favorites and a whole lot of new stuff. I think what I like most about this mix is that it wasn’t what I expected. It starts off with a 50 Cent sample surrounded buzzy anticipation of what comes next. Then, out of nowhere, it gets all dancehall-esque and eventually turns into this amazing musical masterpiece that makes me walk like I am auditioning for a Versace show and competing against Naomi Campbell (for reals, it’s that awesome). And while the mix is less than an hour, it uses 60+ tracks!

A note from Slap and Dash:

This mix is a great example of the bat shit crazy live shows we put together, backed up by dancers, costumes and a killer VJ all mixed live on four Technics 1200’s. We really tried to translate the energy of our show here, and give the listener the best opportunity to understand where club music culture is going in Melbourne at the moment. Our sound is very original, very party and very ghetto. We try not to use ‘the big tunes’ and instead create a ‘big mix’ utilising the massive amount of underrepresented music from all over the globe available to us. No computer layers were used to do it, it’s 100% live using 4 decks, two mixers, Serato and Traktor (vinyl). With the best takes pasted together.

the music:

Slap and Dash – Mixin’ It Up (for Discobelle)

(click to play; follow the link to download)

tracklist + drink mix after the jump

(more…)

Mix On Tap + I <3 Mondays: Pastels

5 Apr

While I recognize that it’s Monday, and typically the Mix on Tap post falls on a weekend day (or close to it), my Monday got off to a rough start. It’s a day I felt came way too fast, even though I was a total waste of space all weekend!

In order to retroactively celebrate Easter, to commemorate everyone’s favorite day of the week, and to get a little drunky drunk on a school night, today’s Mix on Tap meets I <3 Mondays is all about pastels. Pastel colors represent Easter and spring quite well, but they also signifiy the essence of light, the coming of something good, and the quelling of darkness, if you will.

Monday is a “dark day” for most of us, so why not lighten it up a bit with a little pastel alcoholic goodness? Or even if you don’t feel like drinking, this mix will surely put you in a light mood. If you do both, though, be sure to drink responsibly and please please please don’t overdo it. Afterall, you’ve got work tomorrow.

the music:

Antonio Alves – Mix #24 for Mamilo (via mamilo.org)

 a note on this mix: It’s super mellow and a really nice mix for relaxing after a long day on the job. It’s from Mamilo.org, an amazing Portuguese music site that’s chock full of great music. Click to play, or follow the link to mamilo.org to download.

  Antonio Alves Mamilo Mix #24 by Antonio Alves

tracklist after the jump

the drink:

Easter Egg  (via about.com)

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz blue curaçao
  • 1 oz white crème de cacao
  • half-and-half

Preparation:

  1. Pour the blue curaçao and crème de cacao over ice cubes in an old fashioned glass.
  2. Float the half-and-half on top to taste.

(more…)

Mix on Tap: Sweet Jesus

25 Mar

DJ Neoteric

DJ Neoteric is one of my favorite DJs. The Canadian wonder has been quite busy as of late, dropping mixes for his innovative White Light Mix series (which we have featured several times here on Retail DJ), touring around the world, and of course, supplying us all with amazing dance-ready sets that will compel even the soberest of wallflowers to shake a tail feather.

In honor of Neoteric’s continued creative success, I give you a special Mix on Tap, featuring his newest edition for the Crookers Mix series (yes, the Italian fidget house duo that can’t be stopped!) and a drink that I feel best characterizes this mix:  Sweet Jesus!

the music:

DJ Neoteric – Crookers Guest Mix #10

right click + save target as to download

tracklist after the jump

the drink:

Sweet Jesus

ingredients: 1/2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz triple sec, 1/2 oz rum, 1/2 oz gin, 1/2 oz 1800® Tequila, 1 oz sweet and sour mix, 1/2 oz Blue Curacao liqueur, 4 – 6 oz Sprite® soda
Shake ingredients (except Sprite) together in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Add Sprite and stir. Strain into a hurricane glass over ice, and serve.

(more…)

Mix on Tap: Take a Rest

20 Mar

Mary Velo

My apologies for the lack of posts over the past few days. I have been swamped at the day gig and losing a lot of sleep over a meeting that only lasts 3 days, but that takes a ton of time to prepare for. Nevertheless, I am basically back in business – at least as far as Retail DJ is concerned.

Despite the recent (and ongoing) work-related stress, the recent turn in our temporature here in NYC reminded me that the lazy days of summer are coming soon and a little bit more relaxation will be built into the day simply because it’s a little hard to concentrate when you’re sweating to death. In the meantime, I thought I’d supply you all with 2 mixes that will help you startout your spring with the mellow tone of warmer days  and hotter nights ;- )

the music: System Sounds no. 1 Mixed by Mary Velo (tracklist after the jump)

SYSTEM SOUNDS #01 mixed by MARY VELO by Mary Velo

click to play; click the small arrow on the right to download

the drink: Goose Chase

This is a modified version of Grey Goose’s “L’Orange Raspberry Tea Cocktail .” I named it “Goose Chase” because of a) the Grey Goose, and b) the most famous American chaser: cranberry juice

ingredients: 1 part cranberry juice, 2 parts Grey Goose L’Orange flavored vodka, 2 tablespoons of lime juice (per serving), Maraschino cherries and an orange slice to serve

mix+shake+pour+refresh and relax

(more…)

Mix on Tap: Dark and Deep

14 Mar

Instead of giving us an additional preview of spring this weekend, the citizens of NYC (myself included) got a long set of rainy dark days. It’s the type of weather that makes it hard to leave the house, even if it’s for an amazing DJ or a party you’ve been dying to get to. Despite being cooped up this weekend, that certainly doesn’t mean the good music is beyond reach. In fact, if anything, it gives one more of an excuse to finally have that one-member dance party in you’re living room you keep saying you’ll throw out of sheer boredom. And while I don’t recommend partying and drinking alone, every now and then, when the weather is crappy and you’ve got nowhere to go, it’s worth a little try.

In light of this week’s weather, I’m giving you two mixes that match:

the music:

YCCMP MIXTAPE FINAL 19TH FEB by Charles Darkly

1. Big Dipper (Darabi Dub) – Delorean
2. Grand Central Part 1 – Motor City Drum Ensemble Remix Dub – DJ Sprinkles
3. Neontrance – Tigerskin
4. Mosh – Olibusta
5. Was Ubrig Bleibt – Ricardo Tobar Remix – Extrawelt
6. Ace of Spades feat. Kiki – Silversurfer
7. Custard Crush – Max Cooper
8. Fluo – (Wehbba Mix) – The Dolphins
9. Lungisani – Milt Mortez
10. Stop Space Return – Simon Baker & Jamie Jones Remix – Crazy P
11. Far Out – Laurel
12. Unattainable Love – Cora Novoa

If you like this, check out more of the work coming from Charles Darkly and You Can Call Me Pelski (YCCMP).

the drink:

The Dark Side (with slight modifications of a drink of the same name from drinkmixer.com)

ingredients: shot of Frangelico hazelnut liquer, shot of light rum, shot of creme de cacao, shot of Kahlua coffee liquer, shot of vanilla vodka

  • line a martini glass with dark chocolate syrup
  • shake all ingredients
  • drink and enjoy

 

- Retail DJ

Mix on Tap: For Virgins Only

5 Mar

On my way home from work tonight, I found myself listening to an amazing mix and thought, “my goodness, if I were back in a place where driving weren’t such a start-stop-start-stop-style endeavor, I would bump this as I traveled around in my car on a long trip.” Immediately after that, I thought that the same mix would be an amazing track to get a party started as it’s mellow enough to relax, but sonically active enough to induce dancing. It would be great for Mix on Tap, but I certainly didn’t want to in any way promote drinking while driving…so to appease my inner, politically-correct demons, I decided to make this week’s Mix on Tap for Virgins Only.

And no, I am not talking about s-e-x. I’m talking about a-l-c-o-h-o-l. I have lots of friends who don’t drink, and I figured they and others like them might want a recipe here and there too.

Two Mixes . . .

The Music:

Joy Orbison – DLDRMS001 (click to play/dl)

1. Pearson Sound – Indelible // Aus
2. Karizma – Drumz Nightmare // R2
3. Nu-Birth – Anytime // Locked On
4. Tonya Renee – About You (Karizma Boucha Remix) // Home Recordings
5. Altered Natives – Rass Out // Fresh Minute Music
6. Joy Orbison – Smother // DOLDRUMS
7. Efdemin – Acid Bells (Martyn Remix) // Curle
8. Shed – Selection One // Soloaction
9. Ultramarine – Hooter (Carl Craig Remix/JORb EdiT) // Real Soon
10. Joy Orbison – Tentative Bidding // DOLDRUMS
11. Martyn – Hear Me // 3024
12. Joy Orbison – J. Doe // DOLDRUMS
13. Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo // Hotflush

The Drink: 

Virgin Apple Martini

Why this drink? Because in an ironic twist, in the city that never sleeps and where cars are rendered useless thanks to the 24 hr subway, you could quite easily get from point a to point b lushy to the fullest, drunk as a skunk, but again, there are still people here who don’t drink alcohol. So they deserve a sip of the Big Apple too :-)

2 ounces Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider
1/2 ounce Granny Smith apple (chopped)
2 ounces lemon-lime soda
2 dashes cinnamon
1/2 cups crushed ice

Put ingredients in blender, add ice, blend. Pour into martini glass. Garnish with an apple wedge and serve. Makes 1 drink.

(via the Martinelli’s site)

- Retail DJ

Mix On Tap: It’s Electric

26 Feb

Recently, the combination of melting snow and a couple of live wires turned manhole covers on New York City streets into hotbeds of electricity, giving a few people a minor scare while sending others to the hospital literally for extreme shock. While I certainly don’t want to replicate the effect live wire electricity has on the common passerby, I’d like to share with you a way to make your weekend a little more. . . electric.

As per usual, this mix on tap features a music mix + mixed drink that will surely make up get up and dance, even if you have to do it in the comfort of your living room because your new boots are too pretty to ruin in the snow.

Today’s music comes to us care of DJ Johnny Blaze, one of the reigning kings of Baltimore club music. He manages to sneak in some amazing tracks, including a sample from Crydamoure’s Waves compilations (vol 1 / vol 2), which, if you don’t already have, you need to buy ASAP. As per usual, the tracklist can be found in the Music Archive:

DJ JOHNNY BLAZE – ELECTRIC PARADISE MIXTAPE (click to dl)

Today’s drink recipe comes care of eHow. It calls for a lot of ingredients, but the end result is yummy. Hopefully, by the time you’ve finished it, you won’t remember all the liquor you had to buy in the first place:

Electric Kool-Aid Recipe

Ingredients: ice, cranberry juice, 1.5 oz vodka, pineapple slices, maraschino cherries, 1/2 oz melon liqueur, 1/2 oz cherry brandy, 1/2 oz amaretto, 1/2 oz Southern Comfort, 1/2 oz sour mix, 1/2 oz peach schnapps, 1/2 triple sec, grenadine

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Shake melon liqueur, triple sec and sour mix with three ice cubes in a shaker.
3. Begin layering the liquors in a highball glass, starting with the peach schnapps.
4. In the shaker, layer first the Southern Comfort, then the amaretto, then the mix.
5. Layer the cherry brandy, followed by the vodka.
6. Fill the rest of the glass with cranberry juice
7. Add a dash of grenadine.
 8.Do not stir.
9. Top with a cherry or pineapple slice.

Happy Friday . . .

- Retail DJ

Mix on Tap: Dubstep Will Save the Day

19 Feb

I have a love-hate relationship with dubstep. It was nice to hear back in the day, every now in then, blended into a mix here and there, reminding me that UK garage and the Jamaican dub had a happy little niche in the club scene. But then it blew up and the music industry (or selective DJs who all seemed to come out with this stuff at the same time) went into extreme exposure overkill and played it all the time, made full mixes of it, and made the warbly, buzzy sound of dubstep pretty much inescapable.

Nevertheless, I still like to listen to it occasionally, and recognize its artistic merit. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with dubstep to those of you who are hardcore fans, this awesome mix by Jubilee will help break you in or bring you back:

Jubilee - Fireworks Mix (dl/play)

And as dubstep heavily owes its success to its predecessor (and namesake) dub, here’s a little drink called Jamaican Ten-Speed, c/o drinksmixer.com. Never forget your roots, as they say:

Jamaican Ten-Speed
 
ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Malibu® coconut rum
3/4 oz melon liqueur
3/4 oz creme de bananes
1 splash milk
3 oz pineapple juice

Pour the Malibu rum, melon liqueur and creme de bananes into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Add pineapple juice and a splash of milk. Stir well, and serve.

 

Also, as an added bonus, here’s Jubilee’s amazing mix for Mishka that was most certainly the soundtrack to all of my early trips into Sao Paulo (city) back in October of 08:

Jubilee – Bad Decisions / Manslaughter for Mishka Mix (dl)

- Retail DJ

Mix On Tap: Junk Is to Juked as Punch Is to Spiked

6 Feb

This weekend, I have been in a heavy juke mood. For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, look no further than Chicago, Illinois, where the genre seems to have originated. Imagine the Detroit booty electro music from the 90s mixed with a little more repetition and a little more bounce.

Here’s an example:

Booty electro:

Detroit Grand Pubahs – Sandwiches (LURV this song and this video!)

Juke:

Kid Sister – Switch Board

 

 A few weeks ago, I put up a post on Chicago House featuring a mix by Ezrakh (whom we have as our special guest next week), that seemed to please quite a few people, so in keeping in the same vein, here’s a little more music from that genre. This mix includes some tracks many people may remember and/or have heard as samples elsewhere. Enjoy!

kontinental gangstas (juke ) - charlie glitch and d-51 (play/dl)

tracklist is located in the Music Archive

And before you start jukin’ that junk, I know some of you need a little liquid motivation. Don’t mind if I do. . .

Spiked Party Punch

ingredients: 1 can Pineapple juice (unsweetened),  2 bottles Ginger ale (chilled),  3 quarts of raspberry and/or orange sherbet (leave it out for a bit to get soft, but not melted), vodka or rum (make sure it’s chilled) depending on the crowd.

1. put all ingredients into a bowl (except for the alcohol)

2. secretly add alcohol, like they always seem to do by way of generous blazer pockets in 1980s teen movies

3. juke accordingly

- Retail DJ

Mix on Tap: Winter Getaway

29 Jan

Yesterday, it snowed in NYC. And though the snow didn’t stick, it was a reminder to all of us who schlep around in the freezing cold to get from point A to point B that it is indeed still winter. While my tone may sound a bit negative here, I promise it’s not. I actually love the winter. I am one of those rare breeds of human being who thrives in the cold. I like frigid temperatures, snow, coats, the whole nine. But again, I am a special case.

The majority of people are not wishing for a year-round freeze fest like I am. Most people are shaking their fists to the heavens in anger. They want sun. They want warmth. They want all the things I could do without. Of course, the easiest way to get what they want is, if they have the means, to vacation in a place that’s far down, close to or south of the equator, and a long way from winter. But that’s not an option for everyone. Due to the recession, workloads, etc, most of us are stuck having the so-called “Staycation.” I thought I’d help you out a little bit with today’s Mix on Tap.

First, the Mix.

DJ Mike B – European Slaycation Mix (Nov. ’09) (DL)

Check out DJ Mike B’s blog too! He has some other great mixes up there. Tracklist can be found in the Music Archive.

Now the artificial warmth (that won’t give you cancer!):

Yellow Submarine

ingredients: 2 parts Malibu coconut rum, 1 part pineapple juice, 1 part butterscotch Schnappps, caramel syrup

1. drizzle caramel syrup/sauce inside a martini glass

2. add all ingredients to a martini shaker

3. shake!

4. pour into caramel-lined glass

5. vaycay in your livingroom

- Retail DJ

Mix on Tap: Coffee Never Sounded So Good

22 Jan

Tonight, I came across a hot mix (by way of EZRAKH) that had Mid-West juke, ghettotech, booty electro, and tech house as its centerpieces. While I attempted to sit still while listening in order to focus on some writing, I couldn’t help but start bouncing off the walls. The breaking point? The track “It’s Time for the Percolator.”

The song itself is one of the grandfathers of booty electro, its matching dance coming from another grandfather: the Charleston. Here’s a youtube take on variations of the Charleston matched with the track at hand:

Here’s the modern take:

The song title and my jumpiness reminded me of the obvious. I know that so many of us drink Red Bull or some other energy drink with alcohol, but the more sophisticated answer is obviously mixing alcohol with Red Bull’s darker, older sibling: coffee. With that said, enjoy this amazing mix and a little mix on tap involving the substance that keeps me alive in the morning. May it also wake up your nights.

Windy City Mix by EZRAKH
Windy City Mix by EZRAKH by retaildjdropbox

 (tracklist can be found in the Music Archive)

Espresso Martini

ingredients: 1 shot of cold espresso, 1.5 shots of stoli vanilla, 1 shot of creme de cacao, 1.5 shot sof Kahlua, dark chocolate syrup

  • line a glass with drizzled dark chocolate syrup
  •  mix all the ingredients (shake for frothy effect)
  • pour into glass to serve
  • get twisted

- Retail DJ

Mix On Tap: Going Continental

8 Jan

My Continental Airlines flight arrived safely from Memphis to Newark Liberty Airport last night. I was tired, physically and mentally, but also really happy to be back. Something that only catalyzed my joy was an amazing mix I had playing on my ipod on the plane and off. Let’s just say the thing is on repeat.

You see, plenty of sites post tracks and mixes that they have heard or received, without as much filtering. Sure, they don’t post the completely terrible stuff, no aural assaults if you will, but I prefer to be really selective about what I post here, making sure that I highlight the songs and mixes that stand out among the rest and, in particular, those that are worthy of your listening to as you start your process of getting dressed to go do whatever is you do. I try to serve as the middle(wo)man in this whole process to save you some time and to generally grant you the privilege of downloading music or following links from here that can go directly to your speakers without a test run to see if it’s worth your time.

My impatience might be a personality trait that comes from being an American. I feel like in the U.S., one thing we like to avoid is wasting time. We like to get to the source, the root, the main point without all the extra fluff and lost minutes. Sure, we miss a lot in the expedition of this process, but we also get to what we want a little quicker. In reflecting on this habit of mine, I thought back to the mix that I had in my headphones as I touched ground and took off all over again, running.

Nacho Lovers, the Canadian DJ duo, were the authors of one the best mixes I have heard, hands down. It’s only an hour and a half, but they pack so much fun in that little space that it’s truly impressive. The tracks are well-chosen and all entirely dance-worthy, even its slow beginning. From the opening and its slide into a re-work of Azari and III’s “Hungry for the Power,” the mix just gets better and better.

But, worry not, I have not forgotten that you also need a drink to go with the music. This is “Mix On Tap” after all. I found it a little ironic that a Canadian DJ team would have a name related to a Mexican/Tex-Mex food, and figured that there must be some link I can make. In turn, I did a little research and decided to find another North American continental favorite that relates to Mexico:  tequila.

With that, I give you a recipe for an American favorite made from a Mexican liquor and a mix by Canadians who love Americanized Mexican food…my brain hurts.

Nacho Lovers – Curb Crawlers Mixtape 005  (DL: right click, “save target as”)

for more Curb Crawlers mixtapes, check out their site

tracklist:

Barely Eagle Intro
Hunee – Took My Love
Azari & III – Hungry For The Power (Runaway Remix)
KZA – On&On&On
Linkwood & House of Traps – Barely Eagle
Eddie C – Never Let Go
Rick WIlhite – Drum Patterns & Memories (Moodymann Remix)
Rondenion – Sun Glare
Shimmy Sham Sham! – Shimmy Sham Sham 001 Side A
Soundstream – All Night (Andrew Ross Edit)
6th Borough Project – Planets (The Revenge Lost Groove)
Audio Soul Project – Back To Joy
Indian Ocean – Treehouse / Schoolbell (Lil’ Tony Rework)
Linkwood – Electricity
DJ Sprinkles – Grand Central Pt. 1 – Deep Into The Bowel Of House (Motor City Drum Ensemble Bassline Dub)
Tama Sumo & Prosumer – Alien Mutts
T&K – Mucho Swash

Texas Tea Recipe:
Ingredients: 2 oz 1800® Tequila, 2 oz rum, 2 oz vodka, 2 oz gin, 2 oz bourbon whiskey, 2 oz triple sec, 2 oz sweet and sour mix, Coca-Cola®

Fill a 1 gallon pitcher with ice. Add all the ingredients except the coca-cola. Stir, then add the coca-cola and stir again. Pour into your favorite glass with ice and enjoy.
Recipe c/o www.drinksmixer.com

 - Retail DJ

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